Wedding Photography, Videography & Content Creator at Coombe Lodge in Blagdon
Introduction
I have had the pleasure of photographing so many weddings at Coombe Lodge in Blagdon, and it never ceases to amaze me. This elegant country house is nestled on the edge of the Mendip Hills in North Somerset, boasting panoramic views over Blagdon Lake and the rolling hills of the Chew Valley. As I drive up the tree-lined entrance and see the manor house framed by its lush gardens, I already know we’re in for a day of picturesque moments. Coombe Lodge offers a perfect blend of historic charm and natural beauty, making wedding photography at Coombe Lodge a dream come true for me.
For me as a Coombe Lodge wedding photographer, this place is a dream venue to work at. The venue is expertly run by a friendly team, which means everything flows smoothly – a huge bonus for capturing stress-free, authentic moments. Whether I’m documenting a laughter-filled champagne toast on the lawn or a romantic couple’s portrait at sunset with the lake glistening in the background, every setting at Coombe Lodge is photogenic, providing endless inspiration. I approach each wedding with fresh eyes and passion – always aiming to deliver award-winning wedding photos that tell your unique story.
Why Choose Coombe Lodge for Your Wedding Photography?
Coombe Lodge stands out for wedding photography because of its incredible setting and variety of gorgeous backdrops. The venue sits within 20 acres of landscaped gardens – from manicured lawns to tree-lined paths and even little secret nooks – giving us endless options for photos. If you love scenic countryside shots, the views here are second to none. We can capture you with sweeping vistas of Blagdon Lake and the Mendip Hills behind you, creating epic landscape portraits. At the same time, Coombe Lodge has intimate spots like a picturesque stone archway in the courtyard (ideal for a romantic portrait or a confetti moment) and secluded garden corners perfect for quieter shots of just the two of you. Few venues offer such a range of environments in one place, which means your wedding gallery will have a wonderful mix of wide, dramatic shots and close-up, emotional moments.
In addition to its beauty, Coombe Lodge is extremely photographer-friendly in terms of logistics. When you celebrate here, you get exclusive use of the house and grounds, so we don’t have to worry about strangers wandering into your shots or any competing events – it’s all yours. Everything can happen in one place: there are luxurious on-site bedrooms for getting ready (the bridal suite has gorgeous light and plenty of space, perfect for those candid makeup and hair shots), and there are multiple choices for your ceremony location right on the property.
Whether you choose to say “I do” underneath the courtyard arch outdoors or inside the elegant Music Room, I can easily move around and capture every angle without missing a beat. The flow of the day at Coombe Lodge tends to be smooth and relaxed, giving us plenty of time for creative photos without rushing. Plus, the staff are fantastic at coordinating behind the scenes, which means I can focus on capturing genuine moments while they handle the details. All of this makes my job easier and your day more enjoyable – a win-win that results in better photographs.
Photography Styles That Capture the Magic of Coombe Lodge
Over the years, I’ve developed a blend of photography styles to best capture the magic of each setting at Coombe Lodge. This venue lends itself to a mix of approaches – from candid storytelling to dramatic fine art images. Here are some styles I often use, and how they highlight this beautiful venue:
- Documentary Wedding Photography: This candid, story-telling approach is perfect for capturing the genuine emotions of your day at Coombe Lodge. I blend into the background and photograph real moments as they happen – the tearful hugs after your ceremony, the laughter during speeches, and those spontaneous dance floor moves late in the evening. Documentary-style photos let you relive the day exactly as it was, full of authentic memories and little details you might have missed in the moment.
- Fine Art Wedding Photography: With Coombe Lodge’s stunning scenery and architecture, I often incorporate a fine art style for some of your portraits and signature shots. This means carefully composed, visually artistic images that wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery. Think of a romantic photo of you two framed by a golden sunset over the lake, or a dreamy portrait under the manor’s archway with the gardens softly blurred behind you. Fine art style allows me to use light, color, and composition in an artistic way, giving your wedding photos a timeless, magazine-quality feel.
- Editorial Wedding Photography: For a dash of drama and glamour, I sometimes switch into an editorial mode, creating images that look like they belong in a high-end wedding magazine. Coombe Lodge’s grand interiors (such as its oak-paneled rooms and lovely staircases) and the stately exterior are perfect backdrops for these stylish, directed shots. I’ll guide you into natural yet refined poses that showcase your personalities, your attire, and the venue’s elegance. The result is a set of striking, magazine-worthy photos that still feel like you – polished but full of genuine love and character.
- Drone Photography: To capture Coombe Lodge from a unique angle, I can incorporate drone photography (weather and permissions permitting). Aerial shots add a real wow-factor by showing the entire estate and its surroundings from above. It could be an epic group photo of everyone out on the lawn with the manor house and lake in the background, or a breathtaking shot of just the two of you amid the expansive landscape. Drone images really highlight how picturesque Coombe Lodge is from every perspective, and they’re always fun for couples to look back on because they show the bigger picture of the day.
Best Locations for Wedding Photos at Coombe Lodge
One of the exciting parts of getting married here is the sheer number of gorgeous spots we can use for photos. Here are some of my favorite locations at Coombe Lodge that never fail to wow:
- The Courtyard Archway – The front courtyard features a beautiful stone arch draped in greenery. This picture-perfect archway is a favorite setting for ceremonies and couple portraits alike. I love capturing a just-married couple walking under the arch, or a quiet moment where you two pause beneath it for a kiss. It frames the moment beautifully and gives your photos a romantic, storybook feel.
- The Manor House Facade and Drive – The grand front entrance of Coombe Lodge, with its elegant country manor facade, is a must for classic wedding portraits. We can take a wide shot of you both with the stunning house in the background to really show off the venue. The sweeping driveway is ideal for photos with your getaway car, or even a big group photo with all your guests gathered in front of the house. These shots really capture the grandeur of Coombe Lodge and make for a dramatic album cover image or thank-you card photo.
- The Gardens and Lake View – Coombe Lodge’s gardens are a dream for any nature lover. The back lawn stretches out toward a panoramic view of Blagdon Lake and the rolling hills beyond. During golden hour (just before sunset), this spot is unbeatable for capturing dreamy, light-soaked images with vibrant skies behind you. I often whisk couples out to the lawn in the early evening for some golden light portraits – the glow is simply magical. Throughout the gardens, there are also flower beds and winding paths (blooming with flowers like roses in summer or daffodils in spring) that create lovely settings for walking shots or candid moments together. Whether you’re twirling under a big tree or strolling with that lake view in the distance, the garden areas give us both scenic and intimate photo opportunities.
- The Secret Garden & Greenhouse – Hidden away on the grounds are some charming little spots that many couples adore. There’s a quaint greenhouse on site which, with its glass walls and plants, makes a unique backdrop for photos – especially if you’re after something a bit quirky or whimsical. I’ve taken sweet photos of couples peeking through the greenhouse windows or sharing a moment inside among the greenery. Another gem is the fairy-light archway in the garden (often set up in the evenings). Imagine you two under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights after dusk – it’s an incredibly romantic scene and makes for a standout nighttime image in your collection. These hidden corners of Coombe Lodge add variety to your album, giving you that wow factor beyond the standard shots.
- Inside the Manor (Music Room & More) – If the weather isn’t on our side or once night falls, we have the benefit of Coombe Lodge’s beautiful interior spaces. The Music Room, where many ceremonies and dinners take place, is full of natural light by day – wonderful for capturing the emotion on your faces as you exchange vows or the cheers as you walk back up the aisle. In the evening, the Music Room and adjoining areas turn into a great dance floor space, and I’ll be there to snap the energy and fun of your reception. Elsewhere in the house, the rich oak paneling, grand fireplaces, and elegant staircase provide a classic backdrop for portraits. I often take a couple into the hallway for a dramatic night-time shot – for example, silhouetting the two of you in a doorway with soft light behind, or a quiet, tender moment on a sofa in one of the lounges. The indoor settings at Coombe Lodge are intimate and full of character, ensuring we can keep capturing gorgeous photos no matter the season or weather.
Wedding Photography, Videography and Content Creator Pricing and Packages
Planning your photography budget is an important part of the wedding process. Wedding photography pricing for a sought-after venue like Coombe Lodge will typically reflect the photographer’s experience, the length of coverage, and any extra services or products included. Every photographer has their own pricing structure, but you can generally expect to invest a worthwhile amount for full-day coverage by an experienced professional. Many couples getting married in Somerset or the Bristol area allocate somewhere around £1500-£2500 (or more) for their wedding photography. It might seem like a significant cost, but remember – these photos are a once-in-a-lifetime keepsake. After the music stops and the confetti is swept up, your images are what you’ll have to relive all those memories, so it’s worth investing in someone who will do the day justice. Ask me about available discounts if you’re booking more than one service, or your wedding is on a weekday (excluding Fridays).
So, what do wedding photography packages usually include? Most photographers offer packages that cover a set number of hours – often ranging from 8 hours up to 12 hours for a full-day package. This typically ensures everything from your getting ready in the morning until the dance floor antics late at night are captured. Packages might also include a second photographer, which is great for larger weddings or when bride and groom prep are happening simultaneously in different rooms. Many offer an engagement shoot (or pre-wedding shoot) as an add-on or part of certain packages, which is a lovely way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. You should also expect essentials like all your final images edited in high resolution (usually delivered via a protected online gallery), and sometimes a beautifully designed wedding album or print credit may be part of the collection. Always check what’s included – for example, I provide a private online gallery for my couples to easily download and share their photos, and the option to add on handcrafted albums or parent books if they wish.
At Coombe Lodge, I find most couples opt for a full-day coverage package so that no moment is missed. With everything on-site – from bridal prep in the morning to the sparkler exit at night – a full day package lets me tell the complete story of your day without rushing. When comparing photographers, be sure to ask about any travel fees or accommodation costs: Coombe Lodge is near Bristol, so if your photographer is local (like me), there likely won’t be additional travel charges. It’s also a good idea to discuss timing specifics with your photographer; for instance, if you’re having a fireworks display late in the evening or an after-party, you might want to extend coverage to include that. Most photographers are happy to customize their services to fit your needs. I believe in transparency when it comes to pricing and options – you can see all the details of my own packages on my Details & Prices page. Every wedding is unique, so don’t hesitate to have a chat with your photographer about what you’re looking for; we can often tailor something special to make sure you get exactly what you want (and nothing you don’t need).
What to Look for in a Coombe Lodge Wedding Photographer
Choosing the right photographer is a big decision. You want someone who will not only take gorgeous photos, but also complement your day. Here are a few tips for what to consider when hiring a photographer for your Coombe Lodge wedding:
- Experience and Venue Knowledge – It can be a huge advantage if your photographer has shot at Coombe Lodge or at least at similar country house venues in the past. Familiarity with the venue means they’ll already know some of the best spots and how to use them, and they’ll be prepared for lighting in each area (for example, the bright conservatory-like Music Room versus the warm, dimly lit wood-paneled areas). An experienced Coombe Lodge photographer will also know the flow of the venue’s timeline and can anticipate moments before they happen. That said, even if a photographer hasn’t worked there before, a true professional will do their homework – I always arrive early and often visit venues beforehand to scout locations and check light so I’m fully prepared.
- Photography Style that Matches Your Vision – Every photographer has a unique style and way of storytelling, so look for someone whose portfolio resonates with you. Coombe Lodge offers a mix of grand landscapes and intimate indoor settings, so you’ll want a photographer whose style can cover both. If you adore candid, unposed shots, find someone who emphasizes documentary-style images in their galleries. If you know you want some show-stopping portraits with dramatic scenery, search for examples of those in the photographer’s past work (maybe in other Coombe Lodge weddings or similar venues with gardens and views). Don’t just stop at the highlight photos on Instagram – ask to see a full wedding gallery or blog post. This will give you a sense of how they capture the entire day, from getting ready through to nighttime. Make sure their editing style (light and airy, dark and moody, vibrant colors, etc.) is something you love, because that’s how your photos will look too. In short, choose a photographer whose work makes you feel something, because those are the images that will mean the most later on.
- Personality and Professionalism – You’ll be spending practically your entire wedding day with your photographer around you, so it’s super important that you like them as a person. When you chat with a potential photographer (whether in person or via Zoom/phone), gauge how they make you feel. Are they listening to your ideas and excited about your plans? Do they make you feel comfortable? A friendly, calming presence will help you and your guests relax in front of the camera, which leads to natural, happy photos. Along with a great personality, you also want professionalism. Your photographer should be reliable, responsive, and organized – from the first inquiry to the delivery of your album. Little things like promptly answering emails, having a clear contract, and discussing timelines in advance can show you that they take their job seriously. It’s a bonus if they come recommended by other couples or even by the venue’s staff. Don’t be shy about reading reviews or asking for references. Hearing that “our photographer felt like a friend and handled everything so smoothly” from past Coombe Lodge couples can give you a lot of confidence in your choice. In the end, you want someone who will pour their heart into your wedding, handle any curveballs with grace, and keep you smiling throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
Coombe Lodge truly has it all when it comes to a wedding venue – from breathtaking scenery to intimate spaces – and it’s a joy to photograph every single time. I genuinely never get tired of exploring new creative angles here and capturing the magic that unfolds at each wedding. Your wedding photos at Coombe Lodge will be as unique as your love story, and my goal is to make sure you cherish every one of them for years to come.
If you’re planning your own Coombe Lodge wedding, I’d be thrilled to chat with you about being your Photographer, Videographer and Content Creator. Please feel free to get in touch to check my availability, ask any questions, or just discuss ideas for your big day. I’m always happy to help and share insight from my experience. Together, let’s make your Coombe Lodge wedding day unforgettable – and capture all those amazing moments in beautiful photographs that you’ll treasure forever. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, and I can’t wait to hear all about your plans!
